I don't mean to gloat, but I am doing SO WELL with the breastfeeding thing! My DD and I have an EXCELLENT latch, and she's gaining weight and getting chubby cherub cheeks! :love

That all being said, I'm now wondering if I'm even doing this right. Each feed I offer her one breast. I have a bracelet that keeps track of which side she nursed at last time as well as what time she last fed. She's feeding every 2-4 hours and spends about 20-30 minutes at the breast before she nods off. On occasion she'll unlatch but still be hungry, and I'll offer her the other side which she'll take for a minute or two before she falls asleep.

My question is am I doing this right? She's 16 days old today, and I want to ensure my milk supply is equal between the two breasts (which it seems to be so far). Should I continue the way I am? Or should I offer BOTH breasts to her each feed for a limited amount of time? And that being said, how do I keep track of which side to start with each time?

Or am I overthinking this all??

Thanks in advance!

June 27th, 2007, 09:30 AM

@llli*molly.b

Re: Kind of silly question? (How to BF??)

Oh my goodness, do not change a thing!!! That is an order!;)
Sounds normal and perfect to me. Great job, mama!!:clap So happy for you!:D

About keeping track, is the bracelet working? If it were me, I would be able to tell by which breast felt fuller.

June 27th, 2007, 09:31 AM

@llli*lsksam

Re: Kind of silly question? (How to BF??)

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear that everything is going well!

My understanding is that you should "finish the breast" rather than switching sides on a set schedule. If baby is still acting hungry after finishing one side, then offer the other breast.

This is the bracelet that I have - http://www.milkbands.com/ And I really like it. Sometimes I "cheat" and if she only fed for a few minutes from one side last feed, I'll start her again on that side next time.

I'm not so worried about her getting enough (she gained 6oz by her first week checkup!) but it was more about keeping up my supply! Thank you so much for the encouragement! I just realized after 2 weeks that I had no idea if I was doing this right!

June 27th, 2007, 09:48 AM

@llli*molly.b

Re: Kind of silly question? (How to BF??)

No problem.:) The bracelet is a good idea! I think starting on the same side you finished on, if it was only a few minutes, is a good way to do it.

June 27th, 2007, 10:57 AM

@llli*nywifey

Re: Kind of silly question? (How to BF??)

Sounds like you're doing great! I wear a scrunchie or pony tail rubber band around the my wrist to remind me which side I need to start of for the next feeding.

I've always offered both breasts, but after month 3 became better about emptying the first before moving to the next. Once I see the really white opaque mik (hind milk) I know my lo is toward the end of the feeding...if he gets too fidgety b/c it's too empty for him I switch him to my other side.

June 27th, 2007, 11:01 AM

@llli*jcdandfamily

Re: Kind of silly question? (How to BF??)

Your supply will stay just right for your baby as long as you watch your baby and feed her when she's hungry.

June 27th, 2007, 04:37 PM

MommyF

Re: Kind of silly question? (How to BF??)

I have a ring that I switch back and forth. I also made a diaper log I found helpful when my little one changed her routine. Sometimes I couldn't remember how many diapers she'd had (severe babybrain)....sometimes they were barely wet and sometimes great. I also put a spot for feeding times and poops too. It helped because my dd would sometimes have green or mucusy poops so it helped to see how often this was happening. I could tell if she was staying on one side long enough or not. HTH! :)

June 27th, 2007, 05:46 PM

@llli*ekaptian

Re: Kind of silly question? (How to BF??)

You are doing everything exactly right! One of the most important reasons to let the baby finish the first breast before offering the second is so that they get the hind milk (the richer milk with all the calories and fat they need for nutrition and brain development), which comes as the baby drains the breast.